Day One!

We made it! We had a nice easy drive to the UP. We arrived too early though, so we "had to" get ice cream at the local Dairy Queen.

There are about 55 kids and 14 adults here this week. As usual, our kids mingled right away and weren't afraid to step out and talk to people other than those from our church. I'm always so proud of them.

The girls are sleeping in a very crowded room, the boys seem to have a little more room. Tonight all the adults met and were told our ministry site assignments. Jeff, Anne and I will be split up. Jeff will have 2 youth with him, Anne will have two youth with her and I'll have the rest (that's 5). We also get to work in crews with other church kids so I"m excited about that.

We have lights out in about 5 minutes. There is one sink and two toilets for the girls... I need to go get ready for bed.

I should have more time in the morning to write.

Thanks for praying for us and supporting us. I already see God working here and I"m excited to be a part of it!

Good night and God bless you,

Nancy

Mission Trip!

Well, here I am preparing for my second mission trip of the summer. I almost don't even have to use the packing list anymore. It's Saturday night, and I"m all packed. I just have to pack the car in the morning and grab my water bottle and I'll be ready to go. All the forms are signed and copied, my iPod is prepared with appropriate playlists for the car ride and my suitcase is crammed full.

I always have such a mixture of feelings the night before a trip. I'm excited about being able to serve a community in some way or another, yet I'm anxious about how and where exactly that might be -- we don't find out until we get there tomorrow evening. I'm excited about traveling to a new place and seeing new sights, yet I'm anxious about the sleeping arrangements -- is it going to be hot? are the people in my room going to be too loud? I'm excited about spending 6 hours in the car with a bunch of middle schoolers (really, it's fun!) yet I'm anxious about spending 6 hours in the car with a bunch of middle schoolers -- will there be some crazy driver out on the road with us?

I've come to realize that for both of these feelings that I have, I can give them to God. I can praise Him and thank Him for the opportunity I have to be excited and I can also give Him my anxiety, knowing he'll take care of me.

Here we go again God! Let's see what You have in store for me (for the whole group) this week... I can't wait!